FAQ
What is the "FQ Lounge" at HPI?
FQ stands for Female Quotient and is a movement for the advancement of women that has developed and spread in the US. The aim was to increase the number of female speakers at specialist conferences in order to better represent women in our field of research. To this end, workshops and talks were offered to interested female visitors at various conferences. This was so well received by organizers and visitors that these workshops and talks were also offered at universities and industry partners. The people in charge joined together under the label FQ and thus built up a network that covers several continents today.
An important component of this movement is the desire to create a physical space for the topic of the advancement of women to achieve equality. This has been accomplished through the creation of comfortable lounges that invite anyone to spend some time there, and where the topics are presented in a tangible way (in the form of posters and books, for example). In many places, events such as talks and workshops are also held in these lounges. Our room is a bit too small for that, but we will still try to present our work for you there and to make the room as inviting and comfortable as possible.
For all people who menstruate, we will store a selection of period products such as pads and tampons there, which can be picked up free of charge when needed.
I need support, but I don't know who to turn to. Can you help?
Yes, we are trained in various consulting topics and are in contact with other counseling services, to which we can also refer you. So if you need advice and support, please come by or write us an e-mail or a letter. We will help you confidentially.
Can I come to your meetings?
Yes, you are welcome to attend! All members of the university are welcome to the public points of order, regardless of whether they have a specific topic or not.
Is there also a women's quota at the University of Potsdam?
No. The promotion of women is implemented as follows at Brandenburg universities:
Section 7(1) of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act states that '[t]he higher education institutions shall [promote] the actual equality of women and men and [...] shall [work] towards the elimination of existing disadvantages and towards the actual compatibility of work, study and family life'.
The promotion of women does not mean that incompetent women are preferred to qualified men when filling vacancies:
"In the case of recruitment [...], efforts should be made to increase the proportion of women and the situation of persons with special family burdens should be taken into account. As long as there is under-representation of women in the relevant pay or salary bracket or in positions with supervision and management duties, [...] female applicants must
- in principle, be invited to a personal interview if they have the qualifications required for the post (if the number of female applicants is too large, at least as many women as men should be invited to a personal interview), and
- in the case of equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance, be given preferential consideration unless reasons attributable to the person of a competing candidate predominate" (Section 7 (4) BbgHG).
Why do the GBAs have to be female?
This is laid down in Section 68 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act. This section is based on the idea that discrimination is most effectively addressed by people from the affected group. Particularly with such a large under-representation of women as we have here at the institute, it is a great advantage to focus on this imbalance.
Of course, we can mainly act and plan based on our own experiences. We therefore welcome suggestions and proposals from all gender groups.
What does a Gender Equality Officer actually do?
We support the University and all its committees and members in implementing the equality objectives set out in the University's mission statement and Gender Equality Concept.
We accompany and advise appointment commitees during the recruitment of new professors, advise all university members on issues such as equality, equal treatment, sexual discrimination and violence and the compatibility of work and family life, and organize networking events, exchanges and continuing education. We are in regular contact with the university's other equal opportunities officers and advise the Senate in the Commission for Equal Opportunities. According to Section 68 (9), equal opportunities commissioners are not bound by instructions and are under duty of secrecy.
Current (since 2022)
Oct. 1, 2022 – Sept. 30, 2023
- Lisa Baumann
2021
Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2022
- Lisa Baumann
- Lisa Ihde (deputy)
- Lisa Koeritz (deputy)
2020
Oct. 1, 2020 – Sept. 30, 2021
- Lisa Ihde
- Nina Schwarz (deputy)
2018
Oct. 1, 2018 – Sept. 30, 2020
- Lea Gerneth (until January 2020 due to resignation)
- Lisa Ihde
- Nele Sina Noack (deputy)
2017
Apr. 24, 2017 – Sept. 30, 2018
- Lisa Ihde
- Carolin Fiedler (1st deputy)
- Juliane Waack (2nd deputy)
Founding Committee
Mar. 1, 2017 – Apr. 23, 2017
- Lea Gerneth
- Carolin Fiedler (deputy)